Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Why can't I find a particular pub?

Try entering some location details such as postcode or town in the search field. If the pub you're looking for still cannot be found then try unchecking the "Real Ale Available" filter in the search results, in case the pub is flagged as not selling real ale in our records. If the pub you're looking for still cannot be found then the chances are its missing, perhaps because it is a new pub.

All entries in whatpub.com come from local branches and the work of volunteers, many who are still surveying details of their pubs. If you would like to know when their surveying will be complete, or to offer to help with the surveying, please contact your local branch.

Q. Why can't I find clubs or places that don't serve real ale?

When viewing search results, toggle the options down the site for "Pubs Only" and/or for "Real Ale Available".

Q. The details of the pub are wrong

If you are a CAMRA member, please pass the details of the updates on to the local CAMRA branch for the pub, which is very easy to do - just click on Submit Updates, complete the update form, and your updates will be sent by email to a local CAMRA branch officer. It would also be great if you would volunteer to help survey it for us.

Q. What are the beer scores used for and how do I enter one?

Beer scores are entered by CAMRA members and are used by CAMRA branches in order to help select the best pubs for the CAMRA Good Beer Guide. To submit a beer score, simply join CAMRA and as a member you will be given a login that you can use to access additional features on whatpub.com.

Q. How can I edit my beer scores?

Editing scores on whatpub.com will be coming soon, but in the meantime you can head over to data.beerscoring.org.uk and use the 'Score' tab in the main navigation to edit your scores.

Q. How do I find pubs that serve the best beer?

whatpub.com is a comprehensive pub guide and not an online version of the Good Beer Guide. To find the pubs that serve the best real ale, get the Good Beer Guide book or mobile application.

Q. Why doesn't the site have a comments section so that I can view details such as beer quality?

whatpub.com is under continual development and additional features will be rolled out in due course – so watch this space!

Q. Why isn't there a whatpub.com app for my smartphone?

A mobile application is planned but note that whatpub.com already uses a mobile friendly website that works great on most smartphones.

Q. Where can I find the terms and conditions for scoring beers?

Advertising FAQs

Q. What changes are CAMRA making to WhatPub?

CAMRA has introduced advertisements for its online pubs database service WhatPub on a two month trial basis.

Q. Why have these changes been introduced?

CAMRA is introducing advertisement on WhatPub to generate revenue to support the Campaign, as well as helping to support the development of WhatPub to bring a better service to users.

Q. How will it affect users?

WhatPub users will see several adverts on the search pages, which they can opt-out of if they are members.

Q. Can members opt-out of advertising?

CAMRA members can opt out from seeing adverts, which provides a benefit to members, who already support the campaign, over non-members.

Q. How do I opt out?

As a CAMRA member, you can login to whatpub, you will then see a “My Settings” Link in the top right corner of the page. Click this, and you will be presented with the ability to toggle advertising on or off.

Q. How long will it last?

The use of advertisements is only a two month trial and designed to see the level of revenue available so that the National Executive can make a decision on whether or not it is extended.

Q. Will advertisements show up on my mobile?

WhatPub advertisements will only impact desktop users. Mobile users will instead be prompted to download the Good Beer Guide app which is more appropriate for that device.

Q. Why is the advertisement showing keg beer / wine / TVs etc?

Advertisements displayed do not in any way reflect a particular affiliation with the CAMRA brand. They are chosen by Google’s software which bases the choice on the individual user’s previous browsing history. No personal information is sent by CAMRA to Google.

Q. Have other options been considered?

Yes. The National Executive has compared this option against others - such as direct advert sales and affiliate marketing. However, given the cost of implementation or dependencies on them, this form of advertising is the simplest way to gauge potential revenue in the first instance.

This Web site is produced by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). All pages, their contents and related items are provided "as is". Thus no liability, consequential or otherwise, arising from them is accepted. Where not already belonging or assigned to others, all material remains our copyright.